Beautiful, p.25
Beautiful, page 25
With a nod, I replied, “Yep. Sorry!”
I shut the door and smiled. I knew she would most likely run into Mitch since his bathroom was out of commission with my father’s attempt at remodeling it. I should be keeping my nose out of their business, but I hated seeing them apart.
“Fine. I’m taking a quick shower then.”
“Don’t be long!” I called out. “Mom will have breakfast ready soon!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
After brushing my teeth and throwing my hair into a ponytail, I headed back into my room. Michelle was still gone.
My phone beeped with a text message.
Wyatt: Good morning, beautiful. How is your Christmas starting out?
Smiling, I walked to the window and opened the blinds. My heart fluttered in my chest.
It was snowing again. What a rare treat.
Me: Amazing! It’s snowing outside again! Will you be able to make it over? The roads look slick.
Wyatt: Yeah. I’ll head that way after spending some time with the folks.
Me: Okay, be careful, and I love you.
Wyatt: Love you, too, angel.
I quickly got dressed and headed out of my room, making my way downstairs to help my mom cook. Bouncing into the kitchen, I kissed my mother on the cheek. “Merry Christmas!”
With a giggle, she responded, “Merry Christmas! You’re in a good mood.”
Spreading my arms open, I did a quick spin. “It’s Christmas. It’s snowing. Michelle’s here with us, I found my dream-wedding shoebox, and Wyatt will be joining us soon. It’s an amazing day.”
She inclined her head. “What are you up to, Skylar? And what in the world is a dream-wedding shoebox?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied with an innocent smile. “My box, Mom! Remember I used to cut pictures out and put them in a box for my future wedding? I have a little planner in it with all my wedding wishes.”
With a chuckle, she lifted her brows. “That’s right. The dream wedding that will cost your father and me a fortune.”
Popping a grape into my mouth, I responded with a smile, “We have a few years to save. And, you never know, Mitch might be getting hitched before me.”
My mother’s brow quirked up.
“What?” I asked.
“Don’t meddle in their business. They need to work this out for themselves. You need to understand, they might never work things out, Skylar.”
I grabbed another grape. “I don’t believe that. I see the way they look at each other.”
“With daggers in their eyes?”
“Mom, it’s not that bad.”
Grunting, my mother shook her head. “I’m disappointed in him, Skylar. So, I can only imagine how Michelle feels.”
I’d done a good job at pushing aside what Mitch had done. It was only truly then, when I tried to put myself in Michelle’s shoes, I actually thought about how much he had hurt her.
“Would you forgive him?” I asked while resting my chin on my hand.
She placed another piece of bacon into the cast-iron skillet, and it sizzled.
Taking in a deep breath, my mother wiped her hands on her apron and faced me again. “It’s hard for me because he’s my son. I want to support him, yet at the same time, I want to slap him silly because we didn’t raise him to be that way.”
Her eyes filled with sadness. It had to hurt my parents as well to know what Mitch had done.
“But, taking out the fact that we are talking about your brother, I would forgive him.”
My brows rose. “Really?”
“I think so. The biggest issue I’d have is trust. That small bit of doubt that I assume would always be in the back of my mind until he earned it back.”
I nodded. “Trust is hard, isn’t it?”
Her expression softened. “Yes. Especially when it’s been stripped from you.”
My stomach twisted as thoughts of Charlie and what he had done to me popped into my head. I jumped when I felt my mother’s hand on mine.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
Forcing a smile, I nodded. Taking my new counselor’s advice, I thought of something that made me happy. Anytime thoughts of Charlie invaded my world, I would need to switch them off.
“I am. I’m blissfully okay.”
“The hell you are!”
I cringed when I heard Michelle’s voice. She walked up next to me and stood there. I could almost feel the heat from her stare.
“Good morning, Michelle,” my mother said with a chuckle.
“Morning, Lynn. Excuse me while I kick your daughter’s behind.”
Making an O with her mouth, Mom lifted her hands and flipped the bacon.
“You did that on purpose, Sky!”
I plastered on a sweet look. “Did what?”
“Made me use the hall bath.”
I was positive the smile on my face showed my guilt. “I got up first.”
Shaking her head, Michelle pointed to me. “You knew Mitch would walk into the bathroom. You knew!”
I covered my mouth. “Oh no! You weren’t showering, were you?”
Her mouth fell open, and my mother made a tsk sound.
“You evil thing. I thought you were my best friend.”
With a tilt of my head and a bigger smile, I replied, “I am!”
The head shaking started again. “Mitch walked in right as I was stepping out of the shower. Butt-Ass. Naked.”
I leaned in close and whispered, “Well, it’s not like he hasn’t seen you naked before.”
Michelle’s eyes about jumped out of her head. She opened her mouth to talk, but nothing came out. Snapping her mouth shut, she closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths.
When she finally opened them, I drew in a breath. The hurt in her eyes left me wordless.
“Sky, you don’t understand how painful it is to even be near him. But to see him look at me with desire was almost too much to take. A part of me wants to give in to him, but the other part—the part that is broken and bruised—won’t let me.” With a deep breath, she pleaded, “Please stop forcing this. Please.”
My gaze drifted from Michelle to my mother. She had an I-told-you-so look on her face.
Focusing back to Michelle, I took her hands in mine. “I’m sorry. I know I can’t fix it, and I have no right to try to.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “No, you don’t. And it can’t be fixed.”
I wanted to ask her if she meant it couldn’t be fixed now…or ever. I let it go.
“I’m sorry. I won’t butt in to your business again.”
A small smile pulled at the edge of her mouth. “Thank you.” Michelle dropped my hands and faced my mother. “Now, what needs baking?”
While my mom quickly set off to show Michelle what she could help with, I sat still in the chair. A feeling of dreadfulness washed over me, and I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the idea of Michelle and Mitch being over for good.
Or is it my own future I’m worried about?
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
* * *
Wyatt
I RUSHED INTO my dorm and quickly packed a bag since I was heading to Skylar’s place for the weekend. I wasn’t sure why I’d thought this semester would be any different. We might not have any games, but Coach was keeping us busy. I dreaded when spring practice would start up.
“Hey, Smith. Some chick stopped by here, looking for you.”
I stopped packing the bag and turned to look at Jonathon Pike, my roommate. “Who was she? Did she say what she wanted?”
He shrugged. “Just said she was looking for you. Didn’t leave her name or a message, but, dude, she was fucking hot as hell.”
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “If she stops by again, tell her I’m with my girlfriend. Matter of fact, if anyone other than Skylar stops by, that is the response you give them.”
He jerked his head in acknowledgment. “So, if she was just wanting a fuck, you care if I try?”
Yep, that was my roommate. Only interested in one thing.
“Have at it, Jon.”
He fist-pumped and then grabbed his gym bag. “I’m off to pump iron.”
“I’m off to Skylar’s. I’ll probably be there all weekend, maybe into next week also. The place is all yours, buddy. Do what you wish, but stay the hell off my bed.”
Jonathon rolled his eyes. “Dude, it was one time.”
“One time too many.”
***
The roar of laughter coming from the living room caused me to finish up my beer with one long drink. I was going to have to ask Nathan, an older teammate of mine, to bring me more, considering I was underage and couldn’t buy it. I never asked my older teammates to buy me beer. I didn’t even really enjoy drinking it, but tonight, I needed it. At least I’d told myself I did.
The sound of the sliding glass door pushing open had me looking over my shoulder.
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Skylar’s eyes immediately landed on the beer. “Where’d you get that from?”
I shrugged. “Nathan brought me some.”
Her brows constricted. “Nathan was here? When?”
“You were busy in the kitchen, entertaining Michelle and her…guest.”
I hated that Zeb had been hanging around Skylar’s apartment the last few days. The only good thing was, I could tell he was totally hung up on Michelle and playing for her affections.
Asshole.
Skylar sat down next to me, taking my hand in hers. “Wyatt, I already said I was sorry about inviting Michelle to stay here without talking to you about it. I hardly think it does either of us any good for you to be sitting out here, pouting and drinking beer.”
Anger swept up my body in an instant, and I could feel the heat behind my neck. “Pouting? Is that what you think I’ve been doing, Sky? Because I thought I was sitting out here, feeling pissed off that I’d hardly seen you all week with classes, football, Michelle occupying your spare time, and your counseling shit. Not to mention, I’ve been counting down the days until the weekend, and I have to fucking fight for your attention when I am with you.”
Skylar gasped. I hadn’t meant for my words to come out with such a sting to them. And I really hadn’t meant to bring up her counseling appointments. I knew they were good for her, but I’d noticed a change in Skylar since she started going. She was becoming more independent. Not that it was a bad thing. Far from it. But I was scared to death something would click inside her, and she would want to be on her own for a bit. Put us on hold. Of course, it didn’t help that her counselor had kept questioning our relationship.
Dick.
Tears filled her eyes, and I instantly hated myself.
I closed my eyes and cursed. “Damn it. I didn’t mean to say that, Sky. None of it, especially your sessions. I know how much they mean to you. I’m sorry.”
Skylar stood and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I think you should probably take your beer and go back to your place.”
What in the hell? Did something just hit my chest? Because I can’t breathe.
Standing, I took her hand in mine. “Wait, Skylar. I didn’t mean any of that. I’m…I’m just frustrated.”
Pulling her hand from mine, she shook her head. “You did mean it, Wyatt, or it wouldn’t have passed through your lips. I really don’t want to be around you right now with you drinking. You might say something you’ll regret.”
“I won’t drink another drop.” My hand pushed through my hair. “Skylar, I’m sorry I acted like an asshole just now. It’s just…I never see you. And, when we do get time together, we’re still not alone. I feel like you’re pushing me to the back of the line, and if I’m there long enough, you’ll be used to me being gone.”
Her eyes widened. “You feel like I’m pushing you away?”
“No. Yes. Shit, I don’t know. Things feel…different.”
Skylar sat back down, causing me to sit. “Why are you just now telling me this?”
I didn’t want this to turn around and be about me, especially since I’d just acted like a jerk.
“I…I don’t know. Maybe it’s Zeb being here or the fact that I was looking forward to it just being us, and it’s not us anymore. It always feels like someone or something is standing between us. I love that you’re getting help. Please know that. I think it’s important.”
“But?” she asked with her brows raised.
“But I’m afraid you’ll want a break from us.”
Now, she frowned. “Why in the world would you think I’d want a break from us?”
With a sigh, I dragged my hands down my face. “Hell, I don’t know. I’ve been reading into everything too much.”
Skylar reached for my hand. “Like? Wyatt, please talk to me.”
Shrugging, I said, “Michelle moving in. I know you said you were sorry about it, but it almost felt like you’d jumped on it so that we wouldn’t be alone.”
“That’s crazy, Wyatt. We have two rooms. It’s not like she is in the same room with us.”
“I know that. But, this whole weekend, fucking Zeb has been here, and we can’t sit on the sofa and watch TV, we can’t eat popcorn naked and watch movies, we can’t get lost in a moment and make love. It’s weird; that’s all.”
Something in Skylar’s eyes changed. “I guess I didn’t really look at it that way. I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel any less important. It was never my intention.”
I felt like a crybaby asshole. “You didn’t, Sky. I’m just…hell, I’m just pouting.”
A smile spread across her face. “You said it this time, not me.”
Reaching my hand out, I gently laid it across her face, and she leaned into it.
“I love you, Sky. Please don’t make me leave because I’m an idiot. Plus, Jonathon probably has someone in our room.”
With a chuckle, she covered my hand. “Let’s go do something together.”
“Movie?”
Jumping up, she shook her head. “Nope. I have a better idea. Let’s go!” She took my hand and pulled me up as we headed inside.
“Wyatt and I are heading out. Place is y’all’s!” Skylar called out to Michelle and Zeb as she grabbed her purse and keys.
***
It didn’t take long for me to figure out that we were heading to Lovers’ Leap. Skylar and I walked slowly, hand in hand, until we came up to the breathtaking view.
Letting out a calming sigh, Skylar said, “I love this view. It’s peaceful, and it calms my mind.”
My arms wrapped around her body, drawing her closer to me. Inhaling a deep breath, I slowly let it out. “I agree. Reminds me of Marble Falls sometimes with the view of the river.”
“Over Christmas break, I pulled out my dream-wedding shoebox.”
A smile spread over my face. “Oh, yeah?”
“Do you think that’s silly?”
Turning her to face me, I brushed a piece of hair from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “Why would I think that was silly?”
Skylar shrugged. “Because we still have three years of school left.”
“So? Some people take two years to plan a wedding, and they’re not in school. We’ll get a jump-start on things.”
Her face brightened, and my heart expanded with the way she was looking at me.
“I know I always said I couldn’t wait to get out of Marble Falls, but after looking at the books Michelle and I put together, I know where I want to get married.”
I lifted a brow. “Where?”
“Horseshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls.”
The idea of marrying Skylar made my heart beat faster. I couldn’t wait to officially make her mine. “I love that idea.”
With a little jump, Skylar immediately started telling me about her dream wedding.
“Well, I think the ceremony should be at their Live Oak Lawn venue. It’s outside, and it has a view of the lake. It’s perfect for us.”
I could hear the excitement in her voice, and that made me happy. “I’ve never been to that resort.”
Skylar sucked in a breath as her eyes widened. “You haven’t? It’s amazing.”
“We should go and check it out soon. Maybe even see how far in advance we can book the venue.”
Her eyes lit up. “Are you serious? We’re really talking about this?”
Laughing, I cupped her face in my hands. “You are wearing my ring on your finger, right?”
A small giggle escaped from her lips. “It’s just crazy to think we’ll be getting married.”
“Three years. Three and some change, per your father’s instructions.”
With a roll of her eyes, Skylar looked lovingly into my eyes. “I guess, since he is paying for it, we need to follow his set of rules.”
“Half. He’s paying for half.”
“You’ll have a fight on your hands with that one, Wyatt.”
Leaning in, I brushed my lips across hers. “We’ll deal with it then. For now, I want to kiss you.”
Melting into me, Skylar whispered, “Then, kiss me.”
I did kiss her. Deeply. Passionately. It was easy, getting lost in a kiss with Skylar.
Softly whispering against my lips, she said, “I vote for going back to my place and hiding for the rest of the day and night in my room.”
With a quick kiss to her lips, I wrapped my arm around her waist and guided her back to the car. “We’d better pick up some takeout food and snacks then.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
* * *
Michelle
SITTING ON THE patio, I pulled my knees to my chest. A tear slowly made a path down my cheek as I whispered, “What did I do?”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried not to think of Zeb’s hands on me. Or the way he’d made my body shake with delight. Guilt had mixed with pleasure, and I wasn’t sure how to handle my feelings. I’d never had another man touch me besides Mitch.
The door to the apartment opened, and I quickly wiped my tear-stained face. Taking in a few deep breaths, I plastered on a fake smile and headed back into the apartment. Skylar and Wyatt walked in with grocery bags, a lot of them, from HEB.
